Why Are Savvy Investors Turning to Hard Money Loans?

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Summary

Hard money loans offer a flexible and quick solution for real estate investors, particularly in commercial real estate, by providing fast access to capital without relying on traditional bank processes. These loans, typically provided by private lenders, are secured by the value of the property and come with higher interest rates, often ranging between 8% and 15%, compared to conventional mortgages. Investors, including property flippers and developers, favor hard money loans for their speed, reliability, and flexibility in structuring deals. They can be approved within 24 hours and finalized within weeks, enabling multiple loans and reinvestment opportunities. Despite the higher cost, these loans are beneficial for short-term investors aiming to quickly purchase, renovate, and sell properties. Hard money loans are an excellent tool for those with poor credit or facing strict lending restrictions from banks. Munshi.biz helps seasoned investors leverage the advantages of hard money loans to achieve their real estate goals efficiently and effectively.

Dealing in commercial real estate may be a frightening task, particularly if you have never done it before. Even if you have prior experience investing in residential real estate, the commercial aspect of things might be quite different. Working with professional hard money lenders to secure the capital you need is one of the greatest ways to ensure you have the best chance of success with your ambitions.

As per Investopedia, the mean interest rate provided for a hard money loan ranged from 10% to 18%. Hard money loans are much more costly compared to conventional mortgages, as evidenced by the fact that ordinary mortgages provide interest rates ranging from 4% to 5% during the same month.

As a result, hard money loans are frequently marketed as  loans for people with poor credit or blemishes (such as short
sales, foreclosures, or bankruptcy) on their credit records. There are, however, a variety of additional reasons to employ hard money or private capital loans to support your commercial real estate initiatives.

What is a Hard Money Loan?

A hard money loan is a sort of secured loan. Hard money  loans are sometimes known as “last resort” loans or short-term
bridge loans. These loans are mostly employed in real estate transactions, and the lenders are usually people or businesses rather than banks. Most investors go to a hard money lender to cover the expenses of their real estate purchases.

How to get a Hard Money Loan?

The conditions of hard money loans are determined primarily by the value of the property used as security rather than the
borrower’s creditworthiness. Hard money lenders are frequently private individuals or firms that find value in this sort of potentially dangerous
enterprise because regular lenders, such as financial institutions, do not issue hard money loans.

Hard Money Loan Interest Rates

In general, hard money loans have higher interest rates than standard mortgages. The average interest rate on a hard money loan can range between 8-15%. 
This makes hard money loans far more expensive than a standard mortgage, which gives an interest rate of between 4% and 5% during the same month.

Why are Investors Turning to Hard Money Loans in Real Estate?

This may not matter to flippers and short-term investors. They may intend to repay the loan fast, mitigating the impact of a high-interest rate and making the loan less expensive. On the other hand, most other people would benefit by looking for a loan with a lower interest rate. 

The major benefit of a hard money loan is speed; if you can wait a few months for the loan to come through, refinancing your property or taking out a personal loan may be  preferable.

There are seven compelling reasons why astute investors may choose to prioritize these loans above conventional mortgages offered by regular lenders:

Speed of disbursal: Loans can be authorized promptly and efficiently. Numerous private lenders can grant a provisional acceptance to the loan application within 24 hours, while the underwriting  procedure is normally finalized within a maximum of two weeks, provided that the applicant promptly furnishes the requisite documentation.

Reliability: A hard money offer is perceived as more robust and dependable. It has been observed that banks may withdraw financing during the escrow process. Therefore, if one is faced with several bids, presenting a privately financed offer from a well-regarded local hard money lender unlikely to be withdrawn for arbitrary reasons might enhance one’s distinctiveness among other contenders.

Shorter duration: The duration of the escrow period is shorter. The majority of hard money loans can be finalized within weeks, as opposed to the extended time frame required by traditional bank lenders. In certain instances, expediting the closure process may facilitate the opportunity to negotiate a reduced purchase price with the seller.

Better leverage: A significant proportion of investors exhibit a preference for only utilizing cash for the acquisition of real estate. However, this approach may impose constraints on the number of transactions they may do concurrently. Private capital loans provide several advantages, including the ability to make cash payments, leading to higher pricing and the opportunity to acquire properties from all-cash auctions. Moreover, these loans enable investors to undertake and successfully finish more projects than they would otherwise be capable of.

Reinvestment: Reinvesting equity from previous enterprises into subsequent ones is a viable strategy. Private lenders are far more inclined to expeditiously approve a cash-out loan application than a lender affiliated with a bank. Subsequently, the acquired cash might be utilized to procure a fresh real estate asset or undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation endeavor.

Multiple loans: It is possible to obtain many loans simultaneously. In contrast to bank lenders, who typically limit the number of loans extended to a single borrower, private lenders tend to perceive the provision of additional loans to the same borrower in a  favorable light. This perspective stems from their reliance on the intrinsic value of the collateralized asset as the primary determinant for  each loan rather than the  borrower’s financial circumstances.

Flexibility: The lenders exhibit a higher degree of flexibility. Private lenders are not bound by the same federally mandated regulations that govern loan applications. Consequently, they possess greater flexibility and willingness to devise loans with innovative structures that are tailored to suit the specific requirements of a project rather than attempting to fit the project into a rigid loan framework.

Conclusion 

Hard money loans are rising because they offer a simpler way to pay off real estate property costs. Hard money loans are commonly utilized by those involved in the real estate industry, such as investors, developers, and those engaged in property flipping. Alternative lending options, such as those provided by non-traditional financial institutions, have the advantage of expedited processing compared to loans obtained from conventional banks.

These loans often have shorter durations, typically 6 to 18 months. Investors who intend to refurbish and sell the real estate as collateral for the funding may opt to pursue hard money loans. The borrower’s intention to promptly repay the loan helps to mitigate the greater cost associated with a hard money loan.

With Munshi.biz, discover the benefits of hard money loans for real estate investing. Discover the benefits of these loans for seasoned investors, including their speed, reliability, and flexibility, as well as how they might be an appropriate part of your investing portfolio. For
more information and make informed decisions regarding your real estate initiatives, go to Munshi.biz.

 

About the Author

Amish Munshi

I’m Amish Munshi, a mortgage banker with over 20 years of experience in the world of real estate lending. I love breaking down complex loans—like and hard money loans, DSCR loans, FHA loans and other private financing for real estate loans —into simple terms so you feel confident in every step of your journey. Whether you're buying your first home or expanding your investment portfolio, I’m here to guide you with the right insights and expertise to help you reach your financial goals.

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